Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has said he is surprised at what appears to be a lack of data for local ambulance response times.
Having requested figures from former Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, who was elected First Minister earlier this week, Mr Jamie Halcro Johnston said the government's response that "the information requested is not held centrally" was concerning.
The Scottish Conservative MSP had asked for average response times for local stations in the NHS Highland, NHS Orkney and NHS Shetland health board areas, including figures for as far back as 1999.
Mr Halcro Johnston said that, given the crucial nature of ambulance waiting times, and the serious impact delays can have on patient outcomes, the Scottish Government should have this data readily available.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "I find it surprising, and a little concerning, that the Scottish Government claims they do not hold the information I requested.
“Getting an ambulance to someone quickly to provide timely and appropriate care is often crucial in ensuring the best possible outcome, particularly in rural or remote areas where journeys are, by their nature, longer.
“How can they identify areas of concern, and or pinpoint areas where additional resource may be needed, if they don’t know where problems are occurring and where there might be historic or repeated local issues?
“They have made no effort to answer my question, or to supply any relevant information they do hold, and it suggests a disinterest in the unique challenges NHS boards in my region face.
“I suspect this is actually more of a case of “more than my job’s worth” from someone in the Scottish Government, but if they really don't hold ambulance response time data, they absolutely should.
“This issue must be taken seriously by the Scottish Government, and they must ensure that they have the data necessary to address it effectively.
“I will be asking further questions of Scottish ministers and I expect them to provide some actual answers this time”
